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1959 Map of Tumwater

Name: 1959 Topographic Map of Tumwater
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
Published: 1969
License: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/

USGS Topo · Published 1969

About this map

The State Capitol and the bustling core of Olympia anchor this 1959 survey, capturing the region's development before the massive expansion of the late 20th century. The landscape is defined by the deep reaches of Budd Inlet and Eld Inlet, where timber and maritime history meet at waterfronts like Gull Harbor and Butler Cove. To the south, Tumwater sits at the falls of the Deschutes River, a critical industrial site served by both the Northern Pacific and Union Pacific railroads.

Away from the urban center, the map reveals a rural transition toward the Black Hills, dotted with local landmarks such as McLane Sch and the Grange Hall near Black Lake. Smaller settlements like Bush and Lamberts Corner provide a look at the residential and agricultural footprint of Thurston County during the post-war era, while features like the Olympia Substation and various Gravel Pits highlight the infrastructure supporting the growing state capital.